You won't find a shred of jazz, blues, classical, country, funk or alternative guitar playing on any of Pantera's six albums, including their recent breakthrough efforts, Cowboys From Hell and Vulgar Display Of Power (both on Atco). What you will hear is plenty of metal — mean, ornery metal, in the great headbanging spirit of the genre's forefathers.

Leading the Texans' assault is guitarist Diamond "Dimebag" Darrell, who spent his early years carefully studying platters by metal's most respected giants: from Black Sabbath and Judas Priest to Iron Maiden and Van Halen.

"The harder stuff has always done it for me," said Darrell. "Man, if it rips, I'll give it a thumbs up!"

At Guitar World's request, the guitarist compiled a list of 12 tunes he regards as pivotal to his development as a player. After he'd completed his list, Darrell commented, "One thing holds true for each of these bands: They all jammed. If kids today want to put a band together and kick some serious ass, it's important for them to go back and check out these songs, because, when it comes to metal, it doesn't get any better than this."

"Crazy Train"

BAND: Ozzy Osbourne

ALBUM: Blizzard Of Ozz (Jet, 1981)

GUITARIST: Randy Rhoads

"The first time I heard 'Crazy Train' I was crashed out in bed, definitely not wanting to get up and go to school, when my brother Vinnie Paul came in and cranked it up.

"I heard that opening bass line and Ozzy going 'I-I-I-I,' then Randy coming in with that classic riff. That song just busted me in the ass. I was out of bed, dressed, and in school-on time for the very first time! Randy played a lot of cool slurs, where he would slide his pick down the top E string, and I definitely picked up on that."

Dime was really something else, when it came to metal guitar. I've always been a fan of Tony Iommi, Randy Rhodes, and a lot of others, but Dimebag Darrell could pick up a Dean, plug into some Randall amps, and put out a sound that was pure Metal. Even in his earlier days, you could tell that he was super talented. Miss him, and what he could of accomplished today.

What a cool mf-er Dime was! He took bits and pieces from all the best players and morphed it all into his own wicked style and became one of the greatest guitarists, eclipsing most of the guys he "learned" from.

Like most, I'll never get over the way he was taken. The only solace is that he was doing what he loved and was born to do.

R.I.P., Darrell - your unique talent and brotherly persona will never allow you to be forgotten.